CW2 Charles F. Creamer III was assigned to the 174th Assault Helicopter Company of the 14th Aviation Battalion while serving in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.

While the Pilot in Command (PIC) of a Huey aircraft (UH-IH), with tail number 66-17036, the aircraft flew into a mountain in inclement weather, and possibly after being struck by small arms fire, while flying a night flare mission. All four personnel on board were killed.

In the summer of 2008 Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, where CW2 Creamer graduated from, announced that his mother, Marie Creamer, had provided a $3.7 million unrestricted estate gift in support of the Campaign for a Bradley Renaissance. Her estate gift was given to Bradley University in loving memory of her son.